TRAINING SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS IN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY CONSULTATION

The number of children taking psychotropic medications has dramatically increased in recent years. These children typically take medication during school hours, thereby making the school setting an optimal venue in which evaluate the effectiveness of medications. Given their training in data-based decision making, intervention, and assessment, school psychologists should be involved in the evaluation of medication effectiveness in children at school. However, many school psychology programs do not offer formal training in psychopharmacology. This article describes the American Psychological Association and National Association of School Psychologists standards for psychopharmacology training. Additionally, the article details how school psychologists can use the behavioral consultation model, described by Kratochwill & Bergan (1990) to evaluate the effectiveness of medications. Legal and ethical considerations are also discussed. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.